Head of N.K. defectors' group referred to prosecution over leaflet campaign

▲ Park Sang-hak, the head of Fighters for a Free North Korea, a North Korean defectors' group, prepares a banner ahead of a press conference in this Oct. 31, 2024, file photo. (Yonhap)

defector group-prosecution

Head of N.K. defectors' group referred to prosecution over leaflet campaign

PAJU, South Korea, Nov. 12 (Yonhap) -- The head of a North Korean defectors' group was referred to the prosecution Tuesday on charges of sending heavier-than-permitted balloons to the North as part of a leaflet propaganda campaign, police said.

Park Sang-hak, the head of Fighters for a Free North Korea, is accused of sending about 10 large balloons carrying some 300,000 anti-Pyongyang leaflets, U.S. dollar bills and USB sticks containing South Korean dramas and songs from the border city of Paju on June 20.

Police found the balloons weighed over 3 kilograms, making them "unmanned aerial vehicles."

Earlier, the land ministry issued an authoritative interpretation that flying a leaflet-carrying balloon weighing over 2 kg can constitute a violation of the Aviation Safety Act.

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